Meet Haley Causeman, the MacArthur volleyball player serving up inspiration

MacArthur senior Haley Causeman doesn’t say much, but she doesn’t have to. Her presence fills the room — and the gym — regardless.

Causeman is a student in MacArthur’s life skills program for students with autism and picked up volleyball when she entered high school. What began as an outlet to keep her days filled quickly became something much more: a source of confidence, friendship and joy.

This season, the 17-year-old earned her spot on the varsity squad after playing on the junior varsity team for three years. 

“Volleyball wasn’t even on our radar,” said Dawne Causeman, Haley’s mother. “But [coach Diann Sciulla] said, ‘Listen, have her come to practice. We'll have her do drills and see what happens.’ We told her she was going to be a manager, but Haley never settles. Within a week, she had a uniform.”

Asked what her favorite part about playing volleyball is, Haley said, "My serve."

It's a consensus adopted by her friends and family as well. Her father, Vincent Causeman, said Haley is most proud of her serving percentage and consistency, and that it is clear the amount of work she puts into it.

Even her teammates can’t help but admire it.

“When Haley goes to serve, the gym erupts with cheers,” senior captain Meaghan Campbell said. “Whenever she gets a great dig or a great pass, it's the same thing. Everyone on the bleachers, on the sidelines, on the court. Every time something good happens, everyone smiles.”

'She deserves to be where she's at'

On top of coaching the girls volleyball team, Sciulla is a teacher in the life skills program and works alongside Vincent Causeman, a social studies teacher. With 17 years of experience teaching students with autism, Sciulla said she never anticipated coaching one of her students.

Haley’s ability to communicate is very limited, which can make it difficult for her to participate in such a high-level program, but Haley and her family made it work. As of Thursday, MacArthur is 9-2 and is ranked second in Nassau AA-II.

“We didn't really have the intention of her ever being a varsity player, but her skill really impressed me,” Sciulla said. “I think her dad was very shocked and impressed with the way Haley has played throughout her career. She's a hard worker and she deserves to be where she's at.”

While contributing on the court as a defensive specialist, being part of a team has been valuable for Haley’s development off the court.

“The social aspect of being on a team has really helped her grow not only as an athlete, but as a student and as a teenager,” Sciulla said. “I think the girls really take to Haley as well. They enjoy each other's company. For a lot of students that are on the spectrum, communication and socializing can be really difficult. For Haley, it's only really helped her improve.”

And as much as volleyball benefits Haley, she returns the favor. She is nothing short of a crowd pleaser. Vincent Causeman said whenever Haley is on the court, he knows her teachers, teammates and friends will be the loudest in the gym.

“When she got her first ace this year, the reaction was unbelievable,” Vincent said. “It's really beyond our scope of what we ever could have expected.”

Singing her praises

Being a part of the team has also helped Haley develop great friendships. Senior Casey Markle has played with Haley for all four years of high school and the two began warming up together before practices and games last season.

Markle said she and her teammates love being with Haley on and off the court, and that seeing her career unfold has been inspiring.

“I’ve learned not to see anyone any differently because of something that they might have going on,” Markle said. “Seeing Haley’s growth just from our freshman year to now, she's equally as good as any of us. Being with her on and off the court, she is truly one of my best friends.”

Some of the team’s favorite memories with Haley begin at pasta parties on the nights before game days. The girls eat together, play games and even sing karaoke. Haley’s go-to? Pitbull.

“I love doing karaoke with Haley, she is just so fun,” said senior captain Sam Cassano. “She loves Pitbull and always chooses a Pitbull song. Those are such great memories all around.”

Dawne and Vincent Causeman said they are thrilled that the team has built an environment for Haley to gain some independence and be herself. They said if it weren’t for Haley’s support system, this season would not have been so successful.

“She thrives when she's around the girls,” Vincent Causeman said. “We never thought in a million years that Haley would be able to do what she's doing. If it wasn't for the girls on the team, especially this year, it probably wouldn't be the way it is. We're very lucky that she's surrounded by such great kids.”

“If you watch them play, her teammates are coaching her through the whole time,” Dawne Causeman added. “Seeing her on the court, they work as a unit and you would never know her disability is so severe.”

'We're always cheering her on'

When Haley is on the court, her teammates make sure to communicate a little extra to ensure everyone is on the same page while the ball is in play. Senior captain Olivia Picarella said although the extra talking is intended for Haley, it makes everybody better.

“It can be a little different playing next to [Haley] but, ultimately, she wants that ball just as much as anyone else does,” Picarella said. “She will call it and she will get it up. She tries her best all the time. We're always cheering her on because that’s what she does for us.”

Haley’s hard work doesn’t go unnoticed by her opponents, either. Sciulla said other coaches in Nassau AA-II have approached her to say how special it is to watch Haley play.

“It just goes to show there's more to volleyball,” Sciulla said. “It opens up the eyes of the other girls on other teams when they see how far she’s come and that being on the spectrum doesn’t keep her from competing. I think that's really important for everyone to know.”

But what Dawne and Vincent Causeman love most about Haley’s journey is her unwavering positivity through it all. Despite her daily challenges, they said Haley takes every bump, set and serve in stride.

“Her daily life is really tough,” Vincent said. “Everybody has problems, everybody complains, but Haley always has a smile on her face, and she just wants everybody else to be happy around her. I think that's what we're most proud of.”